Canadian Passports in the Dark: What Could It Be Hiding When the Lights are Out?

There have been a lot of anti-counterfeit solutions implemented by various countries around the world. From money to various documents, including passports, anti-counterfeit features are mostly hidden from the naked eye, and are often minuscule details that only trained persons can see. Canada, in its efforts to prevent fake Canadian passports, has released its newest version of its e-passport. The new Canadian passport comes with a digitally embedded passport photo, an electronic chip with the bearer’s information, among others. Question is, who said anti-counterfeit technology needs to be boring?

Check out how Canada stepped up its passport game with the ‘party versions’ of the attractions the country is mostly known for. Let’s just say all of the pages of the passport can now be seen in a new light, literally. You’d be surprised how a few tweaks to the color, layout, and delivery, can make the images go from bland to grand in seconds.

Here are a few examples:

The new e-passport’s hidden security features are very creative and clever in all ways possible. Through UV imaging, as well as optically variable ink, the seemingly normal passport pages, when seen under black light, turn into works of art in their own right. UV imaging is not a new thing, though — what makes the passport interesting is not the UV aspect or plain hidden features, but the well-thought out ‘alternative scenarios’ to the watermarked pages. The passport’s new security features are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

As seen through the pictures, Canadian creativity went through the roof with these stunning representations of the country’s memorable events, people, and places. Just a bit of Canada’s history embedded within a document that certifies their Canadian citizenship reminds their holders of their country’s culture and history.